Star Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster says he will be at the Storm in 2023, shutting down talk of him shifting to the Dolphins next season.
On the back of comments by Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett that suggested he would be at the new NRL team in 2023, Munster has assured the Storm he would see out his contract.
“There’s been speculation but I haven’t asked the club for a release for next year,” Munster told reporters on Saturday.
“I’m still contracted and I’m committed to next year.”
Melbourne have previously declared they would not release him from the final year of his deal even if he signs to play elsewhere in 2024.
They have held Brandon Smith to his contract this season despite the Kiwi rake signing to play with the Sydney Roosters in 2023.
Bennett raised the ire of the Storm in a radio interview by suggesting the Queensland State of Origin five-eighth could join his outfit for their inaugural season next year.
“If we don’t get him in 2023, which we believe we will, certainly 2024 is on the table for us and hopefully it’s on the table for him,” Bennett told SEN.
The Storm have made a formal complaint to the NRL that the Dolphins induced the 27-year-old to break his contract.
Munster said it was typical Bennett behaviour.
“Wayne’s Wayne, probably just trying to stir the pot,” the five-eighth said.
“It’s nothing to do with me.”
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Munster said the ongoing postulation on his future was “frustrating”.
“I’m just worrying about trying to play good footy but I’m always been sent different articles about it,” he said,
Unable to sign with another club until November 1, Munster didn’t reveal if he was looking elsewhere or if his next contract would be with the Storm again.
He has recently become a father which could increase the lure of moving back home to Queensland where his partner Bianca also has family.
“If it happens it happens, I haven’t really spoken to my partner Bianca or my management,” he said.
Having played 164 games with Melbourne since his debut in 2014, Munster said reaching the 200-match milestone remained a motivation.
“Bloody oath it is … I’m trying to knock that tally down to 200 and if I keep playing consistent footy and keep my body right I can’t see why I can’t reach 200 in 2023.”
Munster missed Melbourne’s ugly loss to Manly on Thursday night with a shoulder injury but says he will be fit for the Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday week.
“The shoulder has pulled up much better than expected – a bit of grade three carry-on … I will do everything I can to make sure I’m right,” he said.
Meanwhile, Panthers star Brian To’o has made the shock choice to represent Samoa at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, rather than Australia.
Despite featuring prominently for NSW in the last two State of Origin series, the 23-year old has said he will ‘play for his family’.
“I’m going to putting on the red and blue jersey of Samoa. I’m committed to Samoa,” To’o told Triple M’s Dead Set Legends.
“Obviously it would mean the world to me to put on the jersey and it’s a massive opportunity to play for Australia.
“My people and my family mean more, so I will definitely play for my family.”
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Fellow Panthers Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton are also eligible to represent Samoa and are seen as chances to turn their backs on Australia, while Blues teammates Daniel Tupou and Kotoni Staggs could play for Tonga at the tournament should they fail to be picked for the Kangaroos.
Harry
Guest
I think the folly of mid season signings (leaving aside Redcliffe unique situation) was the young Penrith player off to Dolphins has now been sidelined from Penrith grade because he is off and giving opportunities to other players - of course wouldnt happen to older player who the current club needs to win games before he leaves
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm fine with the tier 2. How we identify with heritage isn't a simple one in all others out, especially with minorities. The competition itself needs to be protected against changes within each tier, to stop it becoming a free agency system but I've got no issues with someone choosing Tonga and still feeling like a blue or a maroon. We seem happy enough to make the segregation elsewhere when it suits so why not here?
Panthers
Guest
As a Panthers supporter first. I’d love it if ruling yourself out of playing for Australia, made you ineligible to play SOO. :thumbup:
Larry1950
Guest
Always thought inducement to breach a contract could be subject to civil legal action, maybe the Storm should hit Wayne up with a formal legal warning or action to prompt the nrl to pull him into line. As for the guys getting to choose tier 2 rep sides over Australia, fair enough but no going back to Oz or origin. NSW gets the benefit of almost all of them & they’ve already got depth & it seems all their way. That or let all the pacifica guys make a call on a Qld/NSW choice, we could have JT13 after all his years here. The Keary call stunk & ruling out that winger on a few months late arrival recently was just as bad. Hope billy the kid gets to have a ‘chat’ with the ref pre origin 3, and if it’s Klein then hope he points out a similar inconsistent display will be his rep swansong as far as Qld hierarchy can pursue.
Dionysus
Guest
I know Bennett is in a tough position trying to build a Dolphins team in 2 years but seriously he needs to be reprimanded by the NRL for the way he has agitated certain players in the comp to switch to the Dolphins. The biggest example has been Munster as reported above but he isn't the only one. We need a hard and fast rule that states that November deadline also applies to players, clubs, agents and anyone else. The only circumstances when this rule can be broken should be when both club and player make a joint announcement that they are "on the market". Simple rules riggedly enforced and with serious penalties is the only way to go. As for the Dolphins, while I wish them good luck, there is no requirement whereby they have to finish top 8 next year. Everyone knows that they are a new club and that they are building. Fine, we don't want them to be a disaster but in their first year, it doesn't matter if they get the spoon just that they are competitive and show signs of growth.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I understand the tier 2, dual eligibility thing going on, I definitely don't like it. I guess I'm a dinosaur in believing that Origin duties equates to Kangaroo's team selection battles too. For me it's a fair way to choose a touring squad from a 3 game Origin series, kind of how it was. Totally understand the cultural and family rationale in his heritage, but that's where it becomes uneasy for me.